Security barrier light and communication system

Abstract

A system for restricting access to an area includes a security barrier with a security hood. The security hood includes a body having a plurality of openings, a plurality of lights positioned within the plurality of openings, a control module and a communications system. The lights may be recessed into the body. The control module changes the security hood between an inactive state and an active state. The control module controls the plurality of lights. The communications system receives data from a remote command location and provides the data to the control module. The data includes instructions for altering operation of the security hood. The communications system may include a satellite link.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for restricting access to an area, the system comprising:
 a security hood including:
 a body having a plurality of openings; 
 a plurality of lights positioned within the plurality of openings; 
 a control module operable to change the security hood between an inactive state and an active state, the control module operable to control the plurality of lights; and 
 a communications system operable to receive data from a remote command location and provide the data to the control module, the data including instructions for altering operation of the security hood. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the security hood has a bottom shaped complementary to a top of a tower of a security barrier, the security hood is configured to attach to the tower. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a security barrier having a tower, wherein the security hood is integral to the tower of the security barrier. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the body including a plurality of sides, the plurality of sides includes a front, at least one of the plurality of openings is positioned on the front. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of lights is recessed within the at least one opening on the front. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the body include a top extending between the plurality of sides, and the front is sloped towards the top. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the security hood includes a light bar oriented towards the front, the light bar having a plurality of sections that can be illuminated independently of each other, the control module configured to modify operation of the light bar. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a guard partially enclosing the light bar and covering a top of the light bar. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a speaker operable to broadcast audible warnings, the control module configured to modify operation of the speaker. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a display positioned on the front of the security hood, the display operable to broadcast written messages, the control module configured to modify operation of the display. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a camera and wherein the communications system is operable to transmit images taken by the camera to the remote command location. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more defense systems, the control module configured to modify operation of the one or more defense systems. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the security hood includes a proximity sensor, the proximity sensor operable to determine a distance of persons from the security hood. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the security hood includes at least one battery. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the communications system includes a satellite link. 
     
     
         16 . A system for restricting access to an area, the system comprising:
 a security barrier having a tower and a security hood, the security hood including:
 a control module operable to change the security hood between an inactive state and an active state, the control module operable to control the security hood; 
 a plurality of lights positioned on a front of the security hood; 
 a speaker operable to broadcast audible warnings; and 
 a communications system with a communications link to permit transmissions to and from the security hood. 
   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the communications link is a link with a law enforcement agency. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the communications link is a link with a law enforcement vehicle and the control module is configured to modify operation of the security hood due to its proximity to the law enforcement vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a secondary security barrier, wherein the control module of the security barrier includes a central command module configured to control operation of the secondary security barrier. 
     
     
         20 . A method of restricting access to an area, the method comprising:
 establishing a communications link between a remote command location and a security hood of a security barrier, the security barrier restricting movement across the area, the security hood including a plurality of lights and a speaker, wherein the security hood is operable to switch between an active state and an inactive state; and   transmitting a command from the remote command location to the security hood to switch the security hood from the inactive state to the active state, wherein switching from the inactive state to the active state modifies operation of the plurality of lights and the speaker.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the command from the remote command location is transmitted through a satellite link to the security hood. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 establishing a communications link between the security barrier and a secondary security barrier; and   transmitting a command from the security barrier to the secondary security barrier to modify operation of the secondary security barrier.